First Day of School

Luke's first day of school as a senior

 Covid 19 has forced us to get used to a lot of ambiguity. As a wise person I know said, "Being nimble is important." No where is this more true than with how schools are adapting to the pandemic. It is almost as if decisions can only be made for a day or a week at a time. For now, St. Mark's and the other Catholic schools are giving families the choice of having their children educated in school or at home online.

A socially distanced classroom at St. Mark's

Today was the first day of school at St. Mark's, where I serve as the development director and at Peoria Notre Dame, where our son Luke is beginning his senior year. 

The schools have done tons of work over the summer preparing the school and protocols to be able to have students and staff in the building together, while keeping them as safe as possible. At St. Mark's, the students had their temperature taken and some hand sanitizer before they entered the building. "A squirt for a squirt," said one of the pre-K volunteers. The St. Mark's teachers are doing double duty, teaching kids in school until 1:30 pm, a shortened day, and then delivering online lessons to about 50 students at home. 

School secretaries Shannon Alexander and Marsha Tigue on the left and right, Pastor Msgr. Brian Brownsey, and Principal Dr. Noreen Dillon welcome students to St. Mark's

I am thankful for the in school option as Luke is in school, and I believe this is the right choice for him. He is a young man who thrives on social interaction (even at a distance) and has no underlying health conditions. The schools will monitor the situation closely. 

As of today in Peoria County, population 179,179, there were 1,965 confirmed COVID cases of which 1,401 have recovered, 487 are in home isolation, 43 are hospitalized, and 34 have died. Here is the link to the site with the info.

Prayers for all as we start the school year. 



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